How to Properly Floss

Flossing. We know how much you hate it. But do you know how important it really is? By not flossing at least once per day, you’re putting yourself in danger of gingivitis and cavities between your teeth. Flossing allows you to remove dental plaque buildup, which if not removed, can irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become red and bleed, eventually becoming gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can then lead to Periodontitis, causing our gums to heavily recede as the bacteria continues to move towards the root of our teeth.

Luckily, the American Dental Hygienists Association has developed a simple way for you to properly floss your teeth using four simple steps.

Step 1: Take an 18-24 inch strand of floss and wrap it around your two middle fingers. Although this may sound like a lot of floss, it’s important for it to be long so you are able to keep a clean strand steadily in place as you move from tooth to tooth.

Step 2: It’s recommended that you keep a solid 1-2inch length of floss between your fingers. You can then use your index fingers to guide the floss between your lower set of teeth.

Step 3: Guide the strand of floss between your teeth using a zig zag motion. Be cautious not to allow the floss to snap between the teeth.

Step 4: Finally, slide the floss up and down against the surface of the tooth and directly underneath the gumline. You should then floss each tooth efficiently, using a clean section of the strand.

And just like that, you’re a flossing pro!

Again, we want to emphasize how important flossing is in regards to your overall oral health. It truly is essential for ensuring your gums are not only healthy, but happy too. If you have any questions about flossing or your periodontal health, please feel free to contact our office at 202-244-2101.